A 50- plus year old newcommer's journey into running, plus occasional musings on the conflicts between Ambition and Reality. Hint: While Ambition picks out the running shoes, Reality pays for the ice bags.

Monday, October 1, 2012

What to wear & how much to run.

I'm going to run the 2013 Chicago Marathon next October. There I've written it down. Now all I have to do is remember to register for it in time.

"All you have to do is register in time?" You ask, "Aren't there some other details to work on?"Sure, but mind you, the damn thing fills up fast. Registration starts...when? As soon as the 2012 Marathon finishes, I guess. I must check.

Anyway, on to details.

I don't know if I want to keep wearing the belt with pouches. I've done some longer runs and it feels awkward. I like wearing the mesh photo vest, but there certainly are lighter all mesh vests with pockets, so I'll look into buying one of those. That might be the excuse I need to go up to the Dick Pond Sports store in Park Ridge.

Saturday, I ran 12 miles along the Lakefront. The next day, even though I felt it in my thighs, Iwent for another long lakefront run. It was a beautiful Sunday - I told myself - and days like these won't be around longer.

Perhaps I should have done some interval training on a local track. A few intense 1000 meter runs interspersed with recover jogs. But no The Great Marathoner to Be had to run, and run long. I made it from the Lakeview Y, down Lincoln Avenue, to Wellington, and then Ssouthward a little past Navy Pier. I turned around and headed back into a breeze, which became strong enough to feel like resistance training by the time I reached Diversey Harbor.

I don't know if I "bonked" but I had enough. I walked back to the Y.Why on earth did it hurt more walking down stairs than up? Beats me. All I know is that I didn't want to sit down on the bus ride back home, because it would be excruciating standing up when my stop came.